Alternative Education Grade 7-8 ELA/Science Teacher for 2026-2027 School Year

Decatur Public Schools District #61; Tennessee; On-site; USD 48,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

A public school district in Tennessee seeks an Alternative Education Grade 7-8 ELA/Science Teacher for the 2026-2027 school year. The role involves teaching and managing students, ensuring compliance with curricular standards, and maintaining strong communication with parents. Ideal candidates will hold an Illinois State certificate and a Bachelor's degree, with skills in planning and classroom management. This position promises a dynamic and supportive working environment to foster student growth.

Qualifications

• Illinois State certificate required for elementary level teaching.
• Bachelor's degree is mandatory.
• Ability to motivate and engage students effectively.

Responsibilities

• Teach in compliance with curricular requirements.
• Evaluate student progress and classroom management.
• Maintain communication with parents regarding student progress.
• Communicate with parents and collaborate with the Elementary School Principal and staff.

Skills

Ability to function effectively as a member of the school staff

Understanding and use of learning principles

Planning skills

Human skills to stimulate students

Classroom management

Education

Illinois State certificate

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Job Title

Alternative Education Grade 7-8 ELA/Science Teacher for the 2026-2027 School Year.

Qualifications

• Illinois State certificate in the teaching field qualifying the teacher to teach at the elementary level.
• Bachelor's Degree
• Ability to function effectively as a member of the school staff.
• Such other requirements as the Board may establish.

Reports To

The Elementary School Principal

Supervises

• Students
• Student Teachers
• Volunteers
• Assists the Principal with the evaluation of Teaching Assistants

Liaison With

Parents. Communicates with parents as the teacher deems necessary, or when requested by parents or administrators.

Job Goal

To help students learn subject matter and skills that will contribute to their development as mature, able, and responsible men and women.

Performance Responsibilities

• Teaching in compliance with curricular requirements of the State and of the Board of Education of District 61.
• Remaining current on research, new developments and literature on education, especially elementary and/or the area of special assignment.
• Compliance with Board Policies, Administrative Regulations, and Board-Employee Agreements at the school level.
• Participation on an appointive, elective, or volunteer basis in the curriculum development process at the building and district levels, as is required to periodically review all curricular areas to keep them up-to-date.
• Participation from time-to-time in the development of District Policies and Administrative Regulations, on an appointive, elective, or volunteer basis.

Instructional Delivery

Understanding and the ability to use the principles of learning (motivation, reinforcement, retention, transfer) and the ability to make sound judgments on the use of such instructional techniques as appropriate pacing, questioning, grouping, actively involving the students, and directly vs. indirectly instructing the students.

Human Skills

Ability to stimulate students, bring enthusiasm to the learning process, and provide both a concern and care for the worth and dignity of the individual.

Planning Skills

Ability to develop goals/objectives for content/skills based upon evaluation of student needs, aptitude, and learning styles. Provision for both individual and group learning experience is involved.

Evaluation of Students and Programs

Construct and use diagnostic, criterion reference, and student achievement tests. Evaluation also encompasses the maintenance and interpretation of records for students, parents, administrators, and other teachers.

Managing the Classroom

Control and structure the learning environment so that students adhere to rules and provide opportunities for students to acquire the self-discipline necessary in school and adult life.

Terms of Employment

Salary is based upon Schedules A & B of the collective negotiated Agreement.

Evaluation

Each employee in contractual continuing service shall be evaluated at least once every two (2) years. Each employee not in continuing contractual service shall be evaluated once every year.

Physical Demands

Handle work which deals mostly with people, objects, equipment in a general setting; depth perception and field of vision are important. Employee regularly required to bend, stoop, twist, turn, reach, lift (up to 50 pounds), carry, pull, push, climb, and kneel; walking and standing approximately 50–75% of each shift. Employee must recognize differences in sound, such as voices/noises that are loud and playful instead of angry and combative; ability to differentiate tones and volumes in conversation.

Mental Demands

The Elementary Teacher must ensure that children are supervised at all times, and that children are involved in safe and appropriate activities. There may be a number of situations happening at once, and the Elementary Teacher must be prepared to handle accidents and emergencies at any time.

Work Environment

Busy and occasionally noisy environment with multiple simultaneous activities. The Teacher must supervise all students at all times. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits

Position falls under the Decatur Education Association (DEA) Contract 2022‑2026. Salary Schedule is attached. Benefit information is included in the contract.